The Nairobi Hospital is seeking intervention by the High Court to help make changes in its board of management amid claims that protracted power struggles risk crippling services at the premier health facility.
The hospital, officially known as the Kenya Hospital Association, wants the court to order Barcley Onyambu to vacate the position of the chairperson of the Board of Management following his replacement by Herman Manyora.
In an application filed at the High Court in Milimani and which is pending hearing, the hospital says Prof Manyora was installed through a special board meeting held on June 30, 2025. The court papers show that a resolution was passed on June 30, 2025 by a majority of the board members to remove Dr Onyambu as chairperson and appointed Prof Manyora in his place.
“The said resolution remains valid and has not been challenged or revoked to date. Despite the board resolution passed on June 30, 2025, the third defendant (Dr Onyambu) has refused to vacate office and continues to unlawfully purport to act as chairperson, creating confusion, disruption, and paralysis in the governance of the second plaintiff (The Kenya Hospital Association trading as Nairobi Hospital),” says Ashitiva Advocates LLP, representing the hospital.
The advocates claim that the leadership paralysis has stalled the board's functionality, rendering it unable to approve the urgent procurement of life-saving medicine, critical medical equipment, and other essential supplies.
“This inaction poses a direct, substantial, and ongoing risk to the health, safety, and lives of the hospital's patients and the public at large,” they say.
They have applied for orders barring Dr Onyambu from interfering with the operations of the hospital or continuing to act as the board chairperson. The application has since been certified urgent by Justice Nixon Sifuna and is scheduled to be called in court again on September 23, 2025 for further directions.
Dr Job Obwaka, a member of the Board of Management, in a supporting affidavit informs the court that a meeting was held on July 4, 2025 against an interim conservatory order restraining the convening of the same or continuing with any planned retreats. Dr Obwaka alleges the meeting violated a court order.
“That due to the ongoing confusion and power struggle caused by the third defendant's (Dr Onyambu) conduct, critical decisions cannot be made, thereby placing the lives of patients and the general public at risk,” says Dr Obwaka.
He adds that they have also filed contempt application in relation to the meeting held on July 4.
Dr Obwaka pleads with the court to “urgently intervene by issuing interim directions confirming Professor Herman Manyora as Chairperson and restraining Dr Onyambu” from acting as such pending the determination of the contempt proceedings.
The Board of Management is in charge of the hospital’s corporate governance and is accountable to the Kenya Hospital Association.
